Thread cutter



Feb. '14, 1928. 1,659,512

E. F. BARRETT THREAD CUTTER Filed May 17, 1927 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

EDWARD F. BARRETT, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

THREAD Application filed Kay 17,

This invention relates to an improved thread cutter more particularly intended as an attachment for use with a thimble or like finger encircling element. 7

The principal object of the invention is to provide a thread cutting attachment of simple structural character having a two edged blade which is readily renewable and is operative in either direction of movement,

thus permitting the thread cutter to be used on a finger of either hand.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the thread cutter as associated with a thimblc.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the blade holding element.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the blade.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the thimble and the blade supporting base.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of Figure 2.

The present thread cutter is essentially an. attachment for a finger encircling element, preferably a thimble as 1. The thimble or 30 like finger encircling element carries a blade supporting base 2, such base being suitably secured to the thimble, preferably by being cast on the same. The other elements of the thread cutting attachment are a blade 3 having opposite cutting edges 4 and a blade holder 5 which suitably engages the base 2. The latter isformed with a flat blade supporting surface 6 and its side faces are each recessed as at? whereby said base has a general hour-glass outline as viewed in plan. The blade holder 5 consists of a plate 8 conforming in outline to the blade supporting face 6 of the base 2, said plate thus having its sides formed with recesses 9 which more or less coincide with the recesses 7. The plate 8 beyond the recesses 9 is formed at the ends of its sides with inturned lugs 10 which prevent lateral shifting of the blade as confined between said plate and the base 50 2. The lugs 10 bear closely against the sides of the base2 beyond the clearances 7 and thus prevent lateral shifting of the blade holder relatively to said base. The plate 5 at its ends is formed with tongues 11 and 12 respectively which prevent longitudinal Curran.

1021. Serial No. 192,019.

shifting of the blade as positioned under said plate. "Said tongues bear against the end faces of the base 2 to prevent longitudmalshifting of the blade holder relative to said base and also suitably engage the ends of the base 2 to hold said blade holder to said base and thereby maintain the assembly of the parts. Preferably the ends of the base 2 are formed with. transverse grooves 13 and the tongues 11 and 12 are formed with indentations 14 toengage in said grooves. Said tongues have a measure of resiliency by which the engagement of the indentations 14 in the grooves 13 is assured. The end of the tongue 12, being the tongue which is nearest the closed end of the thimble, is preferably slightly outturned as at 15 to facilitate the ready disengagement of the blade holder from the base 2 when it is desired to remove theblade and substitute a new one. Thus by inserting the thumb nail under the part 15 the tongue '11 may be sprung from engagement with the adjacent face of the base 2 at which time the blade holder may be lifted from said base and the blade removed. The new blade is then fitted under the plate 8 and the blade holder is then engaged with the base 2 by centering its lugs 10and tongues 11 and 12 relatively to said base and pressing it toward the base until the blade rests on the supporting face 6 at which time the indentations 14 will engage in the grooves 13 and secure the blade holder against accidental disassociation from the base.

The attachment may be used with either hand b applying it to one of the fingers, preferably the middle finger. When it is desired to cut a thread, one end of the thread is held between the thumb and forefinger of the hand by which the attachment is carried and the other end of the thread is held by'the fingers of the other hand whereby the thread may be drawn taut and moved across the adjacent edge of the blade which is ex- 100 posed through the clearances 7 and 9. If the attachment is used on the right hand the left cutting edge of the blade is available and if it is used on the left hand the right cutting edge of the blade is available. 105 If the attachment is used continuously on one hand and the available cutting edge has become worn the blade may be removed and repositioned so as to provide for the use of the opposite edge.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. A thread cutter comprising a finger encircling element having an attached base provided with a blade supporting face, a blade to be positioned against said face and a blade holder comprising a plate bearing upon said blade and formed with projecting parts to hold said blade against shifting and to engage said base and secure said blade holder in position, said holder being removably fitted to said base and said blade holder and base having clearancesrto give access to an edge of the blade.

2. A thread cuttercomprising finger encircling element having an attached base provided with a blade supporting "face, a two-edged blade to be positioned against said face and a blade holder comprising a plate bearing upon said blade and "formed with projecting parts to hold said blade against shifting and to engage said base and secure said blade holder in position, said holder being removably iitted to said base and said blade holder and base having clearances atopposite sides to give access to the edges of the blade.

8. A thread cutter comprising a finger encircling element having an attached base provided with a blade supporting face a blade to be positioned against said face and a blade holder comprising a plate bearing upon said biade and formed at its sides and ends with projections to engage the sides and ends of said base, thereby to hold the blade against shifting, certain of said projections so engaging said base as to secure theholder in position thereon while permitting its ordered removal, said base and blade holder having clearances to give access to an edge of the blade. 7

4i. A thread cutter comprising a finger encircling element having an attached base upon which a blade may rest, a two-edged blade removably fitted on said base, and means holding said blade in position with its cutting edges presented laterally and permitting the ordered removal of said blade, said base and means being formed to provide clearances to give access to said edges.

In testimony whereof I hereby affix my signature.

EDWARD r. BARRETT. 

